INDEPENDENCE is well within Jersey’s grasp, a top-level government advisory group chaired by the Bailiff has concluded.
In a document that goes further towards setting out a blueprint for independence than anything yet published, the Constitution Review Group found that there were no insurmountable reasons why the Island could not become totally self-governing.
The group, which includes Sir Philip Bailhache, Attorney General William Bailhache, States chief executive Bill Ogley, States international finance director Martin de Forest-Brown and States international affairs adviser Colin Powell, has been considering the issue since 2005.
Mr Ogley said that the 83-page report amounted to an insurance policy should it ever become necessary to break away from the UK to safeguard Island interests, particularly its finance industry. He stressed that its purpose was not to look at the advantages and disadvantages of independence, but rather simply to analyse what the impact might be on various areas of Island affairs.
These areas include defence and security, international relations, internal constitutional matters, the economy, communications, travel rights, health, education and the prison. It would also mean reviewing relationships with other international bodies, including the European Union, United Nations, International Monetary Fund, the Commonwealth, World Trade Organisation and Unesco. It is also suggested that closer links with Brussels might be necessary.
*A full analysis of the group’s report will be published in the JEP on Monday.
Article posted on 28th June, 2008 - 10.00am
15 Article Comments
Why is the Bailiff heading this enquiry? Surely an enquiry so fundamentally important to Jersey should be lead by one of our elected representatives.
Also, this constitutional matter should be put to the people in the form of a referendum after an informed debate once the enquiry has been completed.
A referendum is a truly democratic tool which should be used in such cases. It would be a travesty to demote their use solely to that of an opinion poll on issues like fiddling with the clocks.
Report abuse
Mmm, I don’t think closer links with Brussels is the way forward for island independence.
The UK has surrendered its independence to Brussels, with over half of new laws being dictated by the EU. Is that what Jersey would want?
Also an EU that included Jersey would probably not let us undercut tax rates in the UK.
Report abuse
Hmm…I agree with Pip – this should have NOTHING to do with the Balliff. Also, in light of recent events, the people of Jersey need the help of the UK to fight certain areas of corruption. Imagine what things would be like if there was NO UK ‘backstop’? Then they WOULD be able to get away with whatever they wanted.
I used to be a believer in independence. The events of this year have shown me that we need the UK to try to keep our politicians – and those unelected people who think they can dictate – in line…
If only they would…
Report abuse
Pip raises a number of very valid points, but there are still more to worry about if Jersey should go down the road towards independence. At present, the UK government has at least got an oversight role to play, as far as laws and governance are concerned. However, without this and other checks and balances, where will the democratic process in Jersey go to? Our Chief Minister did not get into his position by strict adherence to democratic process.
People joke about Jersey being a banana republic, but this could literally propel us into that realm. We have former mercenaries being allowed 1.1 k status, whats next? Robert Mugabe being invited over? At least if he is, Terry Le Main can offer him one of those lovely homes at Le Squez that are currently vacant!
Report abuse
With Britian in the position it is in and rapiadily going futher The Scottish independence debate, the position that will put Wales in, a very good time for Jersey to think about saying goodbye to UK.
Report abuse
The people of Jersey must be given the democratic right to decide, by means of a referendum.
Report abuse
Go independent. Then the French can invade and who will come to our defence. I don’t see a Jersey navy or army anywhere. Oh and don’t have a heart attack as you won’t be flown to Southampton anymore. The Bailiff MUST go. With his brother! But he’ll only go after he has stupid Art Museum built.
Report abuse
Why wasn’t Ben Queree involved in this group? The man’s a ruddy genius.
Report abuse
Here’s a whimsical thought…If Jersey is independent, what about Guernsey and the other islands? Would we need passport control & currency exchanges when travelling between islands?
And at least we wouldn’t have to worry about defence policies. We already have all sorts of people’s money here in the island’s banks.
We go independent and we can openly take ANYONE’S money and not worry about prying eyes. This will mean that every nefarious organisation will leave us alone as we keep their money for them. It’s not such a bad idea except for the morals and ethics of the people running island.
Report abuse
We should be independant, cant believe in this day and age its even up for debate.
Its about time we had an elected head of state, not some one appointed by accident of birth, and certainly not some incompentent idiot appointed by the states
Report abuse
Given that on the last few years performance the States and the senior civil servants would find it hard to run a bath without calling in some lackey to deal with the tap issue I do not see independence as an option.
After a few years of mismanagement, incompetence and waste we would be viewed openly as a potato republic.
Report abuse
Aside from the obvious pro’s & cons it has been stated in your paper that the cost of independence will be in the region on £11.5 million pounds.
Is it just me or am I being cynical when I say that, if it goes ahead, will be funded ultimately by an increase in GST as apposed to a reduction in public expenditure.
Report abuse
When working for a major merchant bank on the Island, many of my clients (offshore investors) cited Jersey’s closeness to the UK and the security that, that provided as a major factor with regard to holding their investments in Jersey!
In my opinion! Once we say good by the the UK we can also say goodbye to many current investors!
Report abuse
I am from the uk and have never been to the island or spoken to anyone from the island but what surprises me is the amount of anglophobia that the island has, if i think of jersey i think of it as part of the UK but with its separate laws e.t.c i dont think of the people to be that much different and that we need each other but on reading many articles it shocks me to see that anyone is even considering independence and that there is a lot of support for it.
Maybe i need educating on the subject but how would be both benefit from such a drastic move?
Report abuse
i say keep the 330 million for the new waterfront, we don’t need a new one, it’s fine as it is, you could give us all a million each and still have 220 million and it would solve the rumour that were all millionaires in jersey,and use the rest for the important needs the island has. how can you trust anyone over here with all the palavur going on, stand up you good people, we need you…life’s not all about money,well not in my book anyway, it’s just greed greed greed greed,.
Report abuse